From Adversary to Ally: The Shocking Turnaround Behind the Indiana Fever’s Latest 7-Day Signing

In the fast-paced, often unforgiving world of professional basketball, opportunity can arise from the most unexpected circumstances. For the Indiana Fever, a team navigating a season of intense scrutiny and pivotal moments, the search for solutions is constant. With veteran DeWanna Bonner sidelined, the team found itself with a roster spot to fill and a specific need for frontcourt scoring. Their answer came in a form that turned heads: a seven-day contract for Chloe Bibby, a player who, just weeks ago, was an opponent doing damage against them.

The move immediately sent ripples through the fanbase, with some observers mistakenly connecting the signing to the status of superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. However, the logic behind Bibby’s arrival is far more straightforward. Bibby is a 6-foot-2 forward, brought in to plug a hole left by another forward, Bonner. Clark, a point guard, operates in a different role entirely. The signing isn’t a mysterious clue about Clark’s recovery timeline; it’s a direct, tactical decision to address a present and clear-cut need. The Fever needed a player who could replicate Bonner’s ability to shoot from the outside and rebound, and in Bibby, they see a potential short-term answer.

So, who is Chloe Bibby? The Australian forward is a product of the University of Maryland, an undrafted player who has been fighting for a foothold in the WNBA. Her journey this season has been a rollercoaster. She began with the new expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, and showed flashes of the talent that has made her a staple on the Australian national team. Yet, the business of basketball is tough. Bibby was waived by the Valkyries, only to be re-signed on June 15th for a second stint. That, too, was short-lived, as she was waived again at the end of the month.

For any professional athlete, being let go twice by the same team—especially an expansion franchise still finding its identity—could be a devastating blow. But it also speaks to a league filled with immense talent, where finding the right fit is everything. Now, Bibby gets a third chance in a single season, a rare opportunity to prove her value on a new stage. This isn’t just a job; it’s a one-week, high-pressure audition.

What makes Bibby an intriguing gamble for the Fever is her specific skill set, which was ironically showcased most effectively against them. On June 19th, while playing for the Valkyries, Bibby had her best game of the 2025 season. In 24 minutes on the court against Indiana, she put up a season-high 12 points, hitting two three-pointers and grabbing three rebounds. She demonstrated exactly what the Fever are now missing: a forward who can “stretch the floor.”

In basketball terms, a “stretch big” is a forward or center who can reliably shoot from three-point range, forcing opposing defenders to guard them on the perimeter. This pulls a key defender away from the basket, opening up driving lanes for guards and creating space for the entire offense to operate. During her limited run with Golden State, Bibby shot an impressive 42% from behind the arc. That’s not just good; it’s an elite number that can instantly command respect from any defense.

Her former coach with the Valkyries, Natalie Nakase, saw more than just a shooter. She described Bibby as a “Swiss Army knife,” a nod to her versatility. “Spacing the floor. That’s part of our philosophy,” Nakase explained. “She fits in really well with the fact that she’s a big that can space the floor. But then, you know, on the other hand, she’s really physical. She can get rebounds.”

This combination of physicality and shooting touch is precisely what made Bonner so valuable to the Fever’s system. Bibby isn’t expected to be DeWanna Bonner, but she possesses the raw materials to fill a similar role. She can be a threat on the perimeter, forcing defenses to make tough choices, and she has the toughness to battle for position in the paint. This versatility is a valuable commodity, especially on a short-term contract where a player needs to make an immediate impact.

For Bibby, the challenge is immense. Joining a team mid-season means quickly learning a new playbook, building chemistry with new teammates, and earning the trust of a new coaching staff, all under the microscope of a seven-day contract. Every practice, every minute on the court is a test. She has to show that her performance against the Fever wasn’t a fluke but a true representation of what she can bring to the court every night.

For the Indiana Fever, this is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move. They get a week-long look at a player with a proven, valuable skill who seems motivated to seize the moment. If she can consistently knock down shots and hold her own defensively, she could earn another contract and become a key piece of their rotation. If not, the team can move on with minimal loss. In a league where every win counts, particularly in a tight playoff race, even a small edge can make a big difference. Bibby’s journey from opponent to ally, from being waived twice to landing on one of the league’s most-watched teams, is a compelling subplot in an already dramatic season. Now, all that’s left is to see what she does with the opportunity.